Garment guard and methods thereof

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a garment guard. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a garment guard is provided that may comprise a torso shield adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material, and an attachment member adapted to releasably attach a portion of the torso shield to a vehicle seat.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a garment guard. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a garment guard that may comprise a torso shield and an attachment member adapted for use in a vehicle and methods thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hundreds of millions of people use vehicles for transportation every day across the world. Many of these people are under constant time pressure due to obligations placed upon them by their jobs, hobbies, friends, or family. When placed under strict time constraints, many people lack time required to sit down at a table for every meal. Many individuals are only able to find time to eat and drink while traveling in a vehicle. This is true also for those who take long trips in vehicles and choose to forego stops for meals and/or drinks. Many people enjoy eating and drinking in vehicles as a way to save the time that would be required to stop and eat and/or drink. A downside to eating and drinking in vehicles is that it causes the potential of spilling food and/or drink. Accordingly, food and/or drink is often spilled on those that choose to eat in vehicles, or on parts of the vehicle or its contents. Spills of this type can cause damage to garments worn by the user and/or may even cause injury to the user, such as burns from hot liquids. Thus, there is a need for a garment guard for protecting the garment and/or skin of a person seated in a vehicle and parts of the vehicle or its contents.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a garment guard. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a garment guard that may comprise a torso shield and an attachment member adapted for use in a vehicle and methods thereof.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a garment guard is provided that may comprise a torso shield adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material; and a top attachment member adapted to releasably attach a top edge of the torso shield to a vehicle seat. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a garment guard is provided that may comprise a torso shield comprising absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb spilled material; a lap shield disposed on a bottom edge of the torso shield, the lap shield comprising a substantially absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the lap of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb spilled material; and a top attachment member adapted to releasably attach a top edge of the torso shield to a vehicle seat.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method using a garment guard is provided that may comprise providing a garment guard comprising a torso shield comprising absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material; a lap shield disposed on a bottom edge of the torso shield, the lap shield comprising absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the lap of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material; and a top attachment member adapted to releasably attach a top edge of the torso shield to a vehicle seat; overlaying the torso shield substantially over the torso of the user; overlaying the lap shield substantially over the lap of the user; and attaching the top attachment member to the vehicle seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of embodiments of the present disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of embodiments encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure, and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a garment guard with two attachment members in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a garment guard with two attachment members in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a garment guard with four attachment members in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method of using a garment guard in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the words “may” and “can” are used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a garment guard. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a garment guard that may comprise a torso shield and an attachment member adapted for use in a vehicle and methods thereof.

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a garment guard 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In exemplary embodiments, garment guard 100 may generally comprise a torso shield 102 and a top attachment member 104. A torso shield 102 may be adapted to cover the torso of a user 114 and absorb a spilled material so that the spilled material is substantially prevented from reaching a garment 110 and/or the skin of the user 114. For example, the spilled material may be a beverage an/or food, and the torso shield 102 may be adapted to absorb the beverage and/or food so that it does not reach the garment 110 of the user 114, thereby preventing the garment 110 from getting soiled and/or stained. The top attachment member 104 may comprise a single piece adapted to attach directly to a vehicle seat 112, or may comprise multiple pieces.

In exemplary embodiments, the garment guard 100 may have an image (not shown) printed on the surface facing away from the user 314. The image may include a duplication of a typical garment worn by a user 314 in order to disguise the use of the garment guard 100 to those outside the vehicle. For example, the image may include a shirt and tie, a t-shirt, a blouse, a dress top, and/or the like and may be disposed on the top surface of the torso shield 102. By using an image of a typical garment, the user may be able to discretely use the garment guard 100. A portion of the garment guard 100 may comprise absorbent material adapted to at least partially absorb spilled material. For example, the torso shield 102 may comprise paper, microfiber, fabric, wood pulp fluff, creped cellulose wadding, meltblown polymer, cellulosic fiber, tissue, absorbent foam, absorbent sponge, superabsorbent polymer, absorbent gelling material and/or the like. The garment guard 100 may comprise any shape consistent with the present disclosure. Although the garment guard 100 is depicted as generally rectangular in FIGS. 1-3, it may comprise alternative shapes. For example, the garment guard 100 may comprise a circle, triangle, octagon, parallelogram, and/or a freeform shape, such as a tree, a flower, a symbol, a logo, and/or the like.

In exemplary embodiments, the torso shield 102 may be adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user 114 seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material. For example, the torso shield 102 may comprise absorbent material and absorb coffee spilled by a user 114 on the torso shield 102. The torso shield 102 may comprise different sizes adapted to different-sized torsos of different users. In some embodiments, the torso shield 102 may comprise different layers. For example, torso shield may comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a backsheet, at least a portion of the backsheet being liquid impervious, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. In this configuration, liquid may pass through the topsheet, become substantially absorbed by the absorbent core, and be retained within the torso shield 102 by the backsheet. The torso shield 102 may also comprise disposable material for ease of disposal and/or recycling. For example, the torso shield 102 may comprise recyclable paper, plastic, and/or the like.

In exemplary embodiments, the top attachment members 104 may be adapted to releasably attach a top portion of the torso shield 102 to a vehicle seat 112. For example, the top attachment members 104 may be adapted to releasably attach a top edge of the torso shield 102 to the vehicle seat 112. The top attachment member 104 may comprise a single piece and be adapted to attach directly to a vehicle seat 112. For example, the top attachment member may comprise a plurality of hook fasteners and/or an adhesive adapted to couple with a fabric seat. In some embodiments, the top attachment members 104 may comprise multiple components. For example, the top attachment members 104 may comprise a top guard attachment 105 and a top seat attachment 106. The top guard attachment 105 may extend from a top portion, such as a top edge, of the torso shield 102 and may be adapted to couple with the top seat attachment 106. The top seat attachment 106 may be adapted to attach to the vehicle seat 112 and also couple with the top guard attachment 105. For example, top guard attachment 105 and the top seat attachment 106 may comprise a hook and loop fastening set. The top seat attachment 106 may comprise a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side being attached to the vehicle seat 112 and the top side adapted to couple with the top guard attachment 105. The top seat attachment 106 may be adapted to attach to the vehicle seat 112 with an adhesive, a stitching, a magnet, a stapling, and/or the like. The top guard attachment 105 may comprise an elastic material and/or an adjustable strap for adjustability and/or may comprise the same material as the torso shield 102.

In exemplary embodiments, the top guard attachment 105 and top seat attachment 106 may comprise straps and a set of male and female buckle members. For example, the top seat attachment 106 may comprise a female side release buckle member coupled with a strap attached to the seat 112, and the top guard attachment 105 may comprise a male side release buckle member coupled with a strap attached to the torso shield 102. The seat attachment 106 may comprise a strap attached to the vehicle seat 112 on a first end with an adhesive, a stitching, a magnet, stapling, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the top guard attachment 105 may comprise a weighted portion and/or the top seat attachment 106 may comprise a housing attached to the vehicle seat 112. The top seat attachment 106 may be adapted to receive at least the weighted portion of the top guard attachment 105 thereby securing the top edge of the torso shield 102 to the vehicle seat 112.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a front view of a garment guard 100 with two top attachment members 104 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted. All elements of the garment guard 100 are the same as described above with respect to FIG. 1. FIG. 2 depicts the garment guard disposed over the seatbelt 108 of the user, thereby protecting the seatbelt 108 from getting soiled and/or stained. The garment guard 100 may be utilized under the seatbelt 108, as depicted in FIG. 1, or over the seatbelt 108, as depicted in FIG. 2. Although two attachment members 104 are depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, any number of attachment members 104 consistent with the present disclosure is contemplated. For example, one, for, six, eight, or ten attachment members 104 may be disposed in various locations about the garment guard 100. Alternatively, the entire outside edge of the garment guard 100 may comprise an attachment member 104, such as a strip of hook and/or loop fasteners or a releasable adhesive.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a front view of a garment guard 300 with attachment members 304, 316 and a lap shield 320 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted. The garment guard 300, torso shield 302, top attachment member 304, top guard attachment 305, top seat attachment 306, seatbelt 308, garment 310, seat 312, and user 314 are the same as the similarly numbered elements described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, the garment guard 300 may comprise side attachment members 306 and/or a lap shield 320 adapted to protect a lap garment 322. In exemplary embodiments, the side attachment members 316 are the same as the top attachment members 304 described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, with the exception that they are positioned on a side portion of the torso shield 302, such as a side edge, for restricting the lateral movement of the torso shield 302. In some embodiments, the side attachment members 316 may comprise a side guard attachment 317 and a side seat attachment 318, similar to the top guard attachment 105 and top seat attachment 106 described above in the description of FIGS. 1-2, respectively. The side attachment member 306 may be adapted to releasably attach a side edge of the torso shield 302 to the vehicle seat 112. In some embodiments, the attachment members 304, 316 may comprise the same attachment elements or different attachment elements. For example, the attachment members 304, 316 may both comprise hook and loop fastener sets, or the top attachment members 304 may comprise hook and loop fastener sets and the side attachment members 316 may comprise side release buckle sets. Each individual attachment member 304, 316 may comprise any fastening means consistent with the present disclosure. By way of example, any fastening member may comprise a hook and loop fastener, a buckle, a zipper, a button, a snap, a clip, a pin, a releasable adhesive, and/or the like.

In exemplary embodiments, the garment guard 300 may comprise a lap shield 320 comprising substantially absorbent material adapted to substantially cover at least a portion of the lap of a user 314 seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb spilled material. While the torso shield 302 may absorb spilled material when directed at the torso area of the user 314, the lap shield 320 may substantially cover the lap of a user 314 and cover a lap garment 322 worn by the user 314 and/or the seat 312. For example, the lap shield 320 may cover the pants, shorts, or dress bottom of the user 314. The lap shield 320 may comprise the same material as the torso shield 302. For example, the lap shield may comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a backsheet, at least a portion of the backsheeet being liquid impervious, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. In alternative embodiments, the lap shield 320 and the torso shield 302 may comprise different material. The lap shield 320 may form a single piece with the torso shield 302 or may comprise a separate piece. For example, the lap shield 320 may comprise a separate piece adapted to releasably attach to a bottom portion of torso shield 302, such as the bottom edge. The lap shield 320 may be used in conjunction with the torso shield 302 or may be used alone and attached to the seat 312 without a torso shield 302.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart of a method 400 of using a garment guard in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a garment guard, such as the examples disclosed herein with respect to FIGS. 1-3 is provided, where the method may begin at step 410. In embodiments, such a garment guard may generally comprise a torso shield adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material; and a top attachment member adapted to releasably attach a top portion of the torso shield to a vehicle seat. For convenience, the method 400 of FIG. 4 is described with reference to the garment guard 300 described hereinabove with respect to FIG. 3. The method 400 may be carried out using other embodiments as well.

At step 420, a torso shield 302 of the garment guard 300 may be overlaid over the torso of a user 314. The torso shield 302 may be positioned such that the maximum amount of the torso of the user 314 is covered by the torso shield 302. The torso shield 302 may be placed over or under the seatbelt 308, if a shoulder strap seatbelt is used. If a lap shield 320 is included, the lap shield 320 may be overlaid over the lap of a user 314. The lap shield 320 may be positioned such that the maximum amount of the lap of the user 314 is covered by the lap shield 320. If the lap shield 320 is releasably attachable to the torso shield 302, the lap shield 320 may be attached contemporaneously with the torso shield 302 or before or after the placement of the torso shield 302. The top attachment member 304, side attachment member 316, and/or any other attachment members may then be attached to the vehicle seat 312, thereby securing the garment guard 300 in place. When being used, the user 314 may or may not spill anything on the garment guard 300. When the user 314 no longer requires the garment guard 300 because the user 314 has finished eating and/or drinking or the user's 314 vehicle trip has ended, the garment guard 300 may be detached at step 430.

At step 430 any attachment members 304, 316 that are attached to the seat 312 may be detached and the garment guard 300 may be removed for disposal or storage. If anything is spilled on the garment guard 300, the garment guard 300 may be disposed and a second garment guard 300 may be used. If nothing is spilled on the garment guard 300 while in use, the garment guard 300 may be stored and reused. After the garment guard 300 is removed or stored, the method ends at step 440.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Now that exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

It will be understood that one or more of the steps described can be rearranged, separated, and/or combined without deviating from the scope of embodiments of the disclosure. For ease, steps are, at times, presented sequentially. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.

Further, it will be understood that one or more of the elements and/or exemplary embodiments of the disclosure described can be rearranged, separated, and/or combined without deviated from the scope of the disclosure. For ease, various elements are described, at times, separately. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.

While the various steps, elements, and/or exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various steps, elements, and/or exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure is to be construed broadly and not limited by the foregoing specification.

No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the disclosure unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used.

Further, the terms “any of” followed by a listing of a plurality of items and/or a plurality of categories of items, as used herein, are intended to include “any of,” “any combination of,” “any multiple of,” and/or “any combination of multiples of” the items and/or the categories of items, individually or in conjunction with other items and/or other categories of items. In addition, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include any number of items, including zero. Further, as used herein, the term “number” is intended to include any number, including zero. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment guard comprising: a torso shield adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material; and a top attachment member adapted to releasably attach a top edge of the torso shield to a vehicle seat.
 2. The garment guard of claim 1, wherein the top attachment member comprises: a guard attachment extending from the top edge of the torso shield; and a seat attachment adapted to attach to the vehicle seat and couple with the guard attachment.
 3. The garment guard of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the guard attachment is elastic.
 4. The garment guard of claim 2, wherein the guard attachment comprises at least one of a hook fastener and a loop fastener; wherein the seat attachment comprises a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side of the seat attachment being attached to the vehicle seat with at least one of an adhesive, a stitching, a magnet, and a stapling; and wherein the top side of the seat attachment comprises at least one of a hook fastener and a loop fastener adapted to couple with the guard attachment.
 5. The garment guard of claim 2, wherein the guard attachment comprises a strap and at least one of a male side release buckle member and a female side release buckle member; wherein the seat attachment comprises a strap attached to the vehicle seat on a first end with at least one of an adhesive, a stitching, a magnet, and a stapling; and wherein the seat attachment further comprises at least one of a male side release buckle member and a female side release buckle member adapted to couple with the guard attachment.
 6. The garment guard of claim 2, wherein the guard attachment comprises a weighted portion; and wherein the seat attachment comprises a housing attached to the vehicle seat, the housing adapted to receive at least the weighted portion of the guard and to secure top edge of the torso shield to the vehicle seat.
 7. The garment guard of claim 1, wherein the torso shield comprises: a liquid pervious topsheet; a backsheet, at least a portion of the backsheet being liquid impervious; and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet.
 8. The garment guard of claim 1, wherein the torso shield comprises at least one of paper, fabric, microfiber, wood pulp fluff, creped cellulose wadding, meltblown polymer, cellulosic fiber, tissue, absorbent foam, absorbent sponge, superabsorbent polymer, and absorbent gelling material.
 9. The garment guard of claim 1, wherein the torso shield comprises a top surface having an image printed thereon.
 10. The garment guard of claim 1 wherein the torso shield comprises disposable material.
 11. The garment guard of claim 1, wherein the spilled material is at least one of a beverage and food.
 12. The garment guard of claim 1, further comprising: a side attachment member adapted to releasably attach a side edge of the torso shield to the vehicle seat.
 13. A garment guard comprising: a torso shield comprising absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb spilled material; a lap shield disposed on a bottom edge of the torso shield, the lap shield comprising a substantially absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the lap of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb spilled material; and a top attachment member adapted to releasably attach a top edge of the torso shield to a vehicle seat.
 14. The garment guard of claim 13, wherein the lap shield is releasably attachable to the torso shield.
 15. The garment guard of claim 13, further comprising: a side attachment member adapted to releasably attach a side edge of the torso shield to the vehicle seat.
 16. The garment guard of claim 13, wherein the torso shield and the lap shield comprise: a liquid pervious topsheet; a backsheet, at least a portion of the backsheet being liquid impervious; and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet.
 17. The garment guard of claim 13, wherein the torso shield and the lap shield comprise at least one of paper, fabric, microfiber, wood pulp fluff, creped cellulose wadding, meltblown polymer, cellulosic fiber, tissue, absorbent foam, absorbent sponge, superabsorbent polymer, and absorbent gelling material.
 18. A method of using a garment guard comprising: providing a garment guard comprising: a torso shield comprising absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the torso of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material; a lap shield disposed on a bottom edge of the torso shield, the lap shield comprising absorbent material adapted to substantially cover the lap of a user seated in a vehicle and substantially absorb a spilled material; and a top attachment member adapted to releasably attach a top edge of the torso shield to a vehicle seat; overlaying the torso shield substantially over the torso of the user; overlaying the lap shield substantially over the lap of the user; and attaching the top attachment member to the vehicle seat.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the garment guard further comprises a side attachment member adapted to releasably attach a side edge of the torso shield to the vehicle seat.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: attaching the side attachment member to the vehicle seat. 